The doors have opened, but there’s more than just chicken happening at the new Darby Street location
To say it was a Herculean effort to open the doors to Newy Fried Chicken would be a major understatement.
We weren’t game to ask how many hours of sleep owner Nic Brady lost during the Darby Street construction, it was no doubt significant, which only adds to the awesomeness of this venue. It’s big, bold, and its bright red exterior screams look at me, and we love it!
Owner: Nic Brady
Nic’s open about how the renovation has been much bigger than he could have ever anticipated, and plenty of curve balls have been thrown at him along the way - just ask him about the kitchen!
If you haven’t visited yet and you’re wondering whether this is Newy Fried Chicken 2.0, you’re on the right track - but also a little off course.
Darby Street is more than burgers, fried chicken, chips, gravy and mash. It’s the next evolution of its Broadmeadow bro, built on a bigger vision, and Nic has nailed it.
So what can you expect from Newy Fried Chicken Darby Street?
The front area is all about that classic diner feel; timber panelling that ties back to the Broadmeadow store, exposed brick, and walls lined with art and nostalgic photos. Repurposed booth seating giving the space plenty of cosy corners.
The front bar has been reimagined as a family-friendly service counter. Think milkshakes, soft drinks, dessert waffles, and Newy Fried merch on display.
Walk through to the rear and the vibe shifts. By day the space is your trusty lunch locale, where you can pick up your fave dish, order a cold brew directly from the taps and relax, and it even comes with its very own custom-built cocktail bar.
Wait. What. Cocktails?!
Correct! If you love a well-balanced cocktail made with thoughtfully sourced components and a nostalgic twist, you’re going to love the lineup.
Bar Manager Brandi is the star of the show, (formerly of The Koutetsu) and as one of Newcastle’s most experienced cocktail bartenders, Brandi has helped design the bar specifically for fast, efficient cocktail service.
The goal, Nic explains, is for Newy Fried to be known not just as a restaurant, but as a bar people go out of their way to visit.
While Brandi describes it as a team effort to bring all the elements together, it’s immediately clear her passion for the industry and depth of knowledge have been integral to creating such an exceptional cocktail list.
Checking out the menu, the nostalgic train ride takes off, we’re talking Piña Colada, Shandies, and Sex on the Beach, albeit each with a modern mix up.
With Brandi openly admitting to being more fussy when it comes to her product and ingredient selection process, this is clearest when tasting the Lemongrass Cosmo.
Delicate and fresh, the combination of vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry and lime juice give it the punch you’re wanting, and equally easy to sip on. Brandi explains her philosophy simply as,
“If I wouldn’t drink it, I won’t serve it”
Upstairs: Late-Night Newy Fried
As the evening kicks on, it’s time to move upstairs to the 18+ area, complete with booths, dedicated bar area, and a super cool neon red, round, pool table.
The now standalone bar area is open on limited nights each week. Mondays will be hospitality industry nights, with Friday and Saturday sessions running into the evening.
The aesthetic? Not quite a dive bar, but leaning into that comfy, late-night feel. It’s designed as the perfect “before and after dinner” space, or a fun spot to wait if you rock up without a booking downstairs.
The Food: Same Newy Fried, plus a few extras
The core Newy Fried Chicken menu is what you can expect, with a few classic American diner touches - think wedge salads and a couple of simple but punchy sides to round things out.
Longer term, the dream is weekend American-style breakfasts: bottomless filter coffee, pancakes, waffles, bacon, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, grits, all the fun, indulgent stuff you don’t make at home.
What about the Broadmeadow location?
The OG location in Broadmeadow has been converted to a takeaway-focused space, and remains the takeaway hub while Darby Street settles in as the dine-in flagship.
Whilst Nic said the space still has some minor edits to go, it’s all but done, and now it just needs the chicken friend punters to come and enjoy this very special fried chicken destination on Darby Street.
